Effervescent where the colors, vivid greens and blues contrasted by stark whites and muted browns. The hills of the Palouse region seemed to roll on forever, like waves with no shore to crash upon.

It was in this place that I found myself yet again in the back seat of a car filled with people I barely knew. I've grown to prefer that instead of one full of people I know. It was mid morning and our three hour drive to the Palouse Falls was coming to an end. It was there for a moment, and then it was hidden among the cows and their pastures. A gaping canyon shaped by the journey off the river that lay at its bottom.

When our group first arrived, there was hardly anyone there. Our group consisted of young creatives from all over the north west. We started by surveying the area to find the best way to get to the bottom of the falls.

We ended up going in different directions to find our way. The majority of us went down river a little ways to where the cliff disintegrated into a rocky slope. Our descent down was slow but not difficult, footing was important, the volcanic rocks were loose and required caution. Thankfully, I was the only one to slip.

At the bottom of the slope was marshy land a combination of rocks water and small plant life. It provided a stable footing so we pressed onward.

Soon we came to the end. The waterfall in sight, but still not close enough. There was a way to get closer, but it was risky. With the river only inches away, we decided to grip the cliff with our fingers and toes using the rocks as stepping stones to proceed. I was not the first to go. I watched to see how my friends proceeded. Being stupid, I did not have a strap for my camera and had to hold it using only my free hand to traverse the edge.

About half way across was when I noticed that the other group had already made it to the falls. Their way had been faster, but ours I feel was more interesting.

The mist at the base of the falls was invigorating. I took this moment to put down my camera and feel the moment. I recommend it to anyone regardless of where in nature you may find yourself. Take a few minutes and be in the moment, don't worry about life, don't worry about your next Instagram post just take in your surroundings and be there, in the moment.

Once we had our fill, we began our rise back to the surface world. As we ascended, people were appearing in droves. I was glad that we had arrived early.

We left the falls and headed for the fabled carcass that is the PNW bus. First we drove one direction, then another... we could not find it. We were referencing articles that other people had wrote and all of them were not very specific or simply provided inaccurate information. So here I will provide directions that will hopefully help someone someday.

From Palouse Falls RD, take a right on route 261 till you get to route 260. Take a left onto 260 and it’s about a half mile down on the left. You can see it from the road.

It's a cool spot all covered in graffiti and what not. I challenge you, the reader, to take a photo someone else hasn’t of it yet.

And with that our day was coming to a close we said our goodbyes and got back on the road. However, there was one more quick stop to make. A rather small decrepit farm house that smelled of urine and had a dead rat (I think?) laying on a refrigerator. It smelled but was an interesting little spot. If you see it stop in and take a gander.